Apparatus for drying and shaping knitted articles



Nov. 20, 1928.

E. J. ZIOCK APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND SHAPING KNITTED ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May '7. 1924 Nov. 20, 1928.

E. J. ZIOCK APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND SHAPING KNITTED ARTICLES Original Filed May '7. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 20, 1928.

E. J. ZIOCK APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND SHAPING KNIT-TED ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed May '7. 1924 TILL.

Nov. 20, 1928.

E. J. ZIQCK Y APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND SHAPING KNITTEDARTICLES Original Filed May 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 20, 1928.

E. J. ZIOCK APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND SHAPING KNITTED ARTICLES Original Filed May 7. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. ZIOOK, or ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

Arrnim'rUs non DRYING AND SHAPING xNr'r'rE ARTICLES.

Original application filed na -7, 1924, Serial No. 711,565 Divided and this application filed September 20,

- f 1924; Serial No. 7as,755.-

This invention relates in general to certain operations in the finishing of fabric or knitt-ed articles after they have been manufactured and subjected totreatment by liquids. For example, in the manufacture of hosiery my invention relates to drying and shaplng socks or stockings after they have been manufactured and treated in any wa. by; liquids. Such treatment may consist mere y in wetting out the socks or stockings'or it may comprise the various operations included inbleaching, mercerizing, dyeing and related processes.

. The present application is a division ofmy parent application Ser1al No. 711,565,

' filed May 7 th, 1924, which eventuated in Pat ent 1,623,080 issued April 5, 19:27. The primary purpose of the present invention is to rovide a new apparatus for drying and shaplng knitted articles, whereby such operations may be performed more expedi- 'tiously and with a greater degree of uniformity than with. prior apparatuses. Another purpose of my invention is to provide improved means for drying and shaping knitted articles which is especially suited to function in cooperation with apparatus of the character disclosed in said parent application which comprehends performing in one machine or apparatus substantially all of the operations necessary for completely finishing a knitted article after the knitting thereof.

In furtherance of the foregoing my invention contemplates broadly, certain new'methods, principles and apparatus. coordinated so as to perform in' a single machine the many operations required in finishing stockings or other knitted articles, and doing in a comparatively short time, in fact a matter ofminutes, what heretofore required in the com-. mercial finishing of stockings in large quant-ities, many days from the time the stockings entered a stock room where the lots were made up preparatory to entering upon the finishing operations, until the finished articles'reached the shipping room.

,VVhile the present invention deals more particularly with the drying and shaping operations in combination with liquid treating operations in general, its relation to the ent-ire method will be better understood by considerihg first a brief description of what such method comprises. This method consists, generally stated, in completely finishing the knitted articles by a series of operations p rformed in succession or progressively by coordinated devices. These operations are I all performed on each knitted article While it is boarded, that is, carried or held on a board or form which is preferably flat and shaped to conform substantially to the shape of the article, and to hold the fabric extended to permanent dimensions. More particularly the method consists in boarding the stockings or other articles at a loading station, carrying the boarded stockings at uniformly spaced intervals by means of an endless continuously traveling carrier successively to different stations at which the stockings are singed, wetted out, dyed, subjected to a scroupe bath, dried, shaped, and finally delivered to an inspection station and unloaded. While the method described embraces ractically all of the operations which might be performed in dyeing and finishing a conventlonal black stocking, it should be understood that the method should not be confined to these particular steps or operations but might be practiced with fewer coordinating operations for accomplishing a unitary result. This method, the several steps of which are explained more fully in said parent application, makes possible combining into a single machine, devices for performing'in a new and better way certain operations which were heretofore performed by independent machines. The many advantages of this method will be apparent to those skilled in this art when it is considered that under the prior practice the individual machines and devices were segregated, due to the nature of their construction and operation making it necessary to handle and truck the stockings between each operation. This practice also imor more for the passage of a stocking through the mill for finishing. According to my present invention the ope-rations contemplated herein, that is, of subjecting the stockings to one or more liquid treatments and drying and shaping them, are performed on a stocking while it is on a board or form and by em ploying an endless carrier for moving the boarded stockings from station to station at which novel. devices are employed for performing the several operations. Thus the many manual operations heretofore required are eliminated and a more uniform product is produced in a comparatively short period oftime. c

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1, is a side elevation, diagrammatic,

'of one half the length of a machine embodied in my invention, showing the loading and unloading end; 7

Fig. 2, is a similar view of the other half of the machine;

Fig. 3, is a diagrammatic view illustrating the air circulating system;

Fig. 4, is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the machine taken substantially onthe line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. .5, is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6,; is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the carrier-return end of the machine taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 7

Fig. 7, is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing in side elevation the air injector end, also referred to hereinafter as the stocking-exit end, of the drying compartment;

given sha e which it is desired the articles shall con orm to when finished. The forms are also preferably flat-and tapered at their edges to a sharp but rounded edge. Each stocking will be drawn onto a form to a predetermined length and held at suchlength throughout the several operations by a suitable clamping or holding device includingclamping elements 16 (Fig.4). The fabric of each stocking will thus be held taut or slightly extended but without appreciable stretching, so that it will be uniformly presented throughout its area to the several finishing agencies. The particular stocking clamp shown comprises the subject matter of my companion application Serial No. 738.756, filed September 20, 1924.

The stocking forms are suitably attached to an endless carrier designated generally by 17 which in the present instance comprises a pair of roller chains (Fig. 4) connected together by crossbars- 18 which may serve to carry said forms. The carrier chains are trained over sprocket wheels 19 and 21 horizontally spaced apart and supported for rotation on a suitable frame structure. This provides upper and lower carrier runs or, flights which are supported from end to end b suitable tracks 22 and- 23, respectively, igs. 4 and 5). In; this case the stocking forms extend outwardly from the carrier and are spaced apart at uniform intervals'as indicated by the dottedlin'e positions in Figs. 1 and 2 and are arranged in a common planewith the flat plane of the forms parallel with the line of travel of the carrier as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The purpose of this is to uniformly present the fabric at each sideof a form to the action of the liquid treating devices, and the drying and other agencies, so that the action and effect of each will be the same on the fibres throughout the area of the entire fabric of each stocking. The carrierwill be propelled by suitable mechanism (not shown), preferably continuously at aiconstant speed, in this in a clockwise direct-ion viewing Figs. 1 and 2.

' The frame supporting the endless carrier is at present composed of structural iron such as angle irons and suitable intermediate connections, braces, side walls and partitions which enclose and house the operating devices and provide the desired passages, conduits, compartments, etc. The frame and housing might obviously be of any. suitable construction best adapted for the particular conditions at hand and the size of machine desired. For convenience in building this machine I employ upright angle iron frame members 24 spaced apart transversely as shown in Fig. 4 to define a comparatively narrow passage way between which the stocking forms travel and upon which the carrier tracks 22 and 23 are mounted. These upright frame members are also spaced apart lengthwise of the machine, in this instance approximately 10 feet apart defining between adjoining pairs of frame members a'section, these sections being indicatedin Figs. 1 and 2 by reference numerals 25 to 41 inclusive. The frame structure intermediate the uprights defining these sections may be suitable for the purposes for which such sections are devoted, and in the drawings I have therefore for purpose of simplicity and-clarity shown only such transverse and longitudinal sections through the machine as are necessary for an understanding of the invention. The reference herein to sections is therefore simply for purpose of illustration and clarity and in no way a limitation on the scope of the invention. l

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be observed that above the sections 26, 27 and 28 I provide at each side of the carrier a platform 42 on which Y different processing operations. The section 26 at the upper run of'the carrier, may there- I fore be termed the loading station. The

stockings may be loaded onto the forms by operators stationed at both sides of the carrier, although the particular means and method employed for drawing the knitted articles onto the forms is not essential since the forms might be loaded when detached from the carrier and after being loaded might be operatively connected thereto. It is i1nportant however in loading or boarding the stockings that they'shall be drawn down onto the form a predetermined distance and held at such position until removed from the form when completely finished. Any of various clamping or holding devices might be employed for this purpose, but preferably one such as described in my above-mentioned companion application which will not obstruct the dye and other solutions from the fabric.

From the loading station the boarded stockings will be carried by the endless carrier through the end section 25 to the lower run and then to the left through the sections 26, 27, 28, etc., in succession. In these lower run sections the stockings will be subjected to different processing operations, such as singeing, wetting out, dyeing, developing, and soap and acid scroupe, as described in my parent application. These operations with the exception of singeing involve the application of various liquids and solutions to the boarded stockings; and in so far as the present invention is concerned, these liquids may be applied in any manner, as by immersion of the boarded stockings in tanks or by spraying the liquids on to the boarded stockings. The latter method is disclosed herein, Figs. 4 and 5, which show a single spray-delivering unit. This comprises spray nozzles 43 carried by a vertical header 44 located at each side of the stocking passage so that the stockings travel between the sprays and are subjected to a spray bath from each side. preferably of a type which delivers a fishtail spray; and by properly arranging the nozzles a line-like spray'will be delivered from top to bottom of the stocking at each side thereof. A series of such spray-delivering units may be employed for each operation, if necessary, said units being spaced apartlongitudinally of the lower compartment45 so that a time interval intervenes between spraying operunloading and loading.

The nozzles are ations, permitting the applied solution to penetrate the fibres and allowing by successive spraying applications, the desired contents-saturation to be obtained in the fabric. The spray headers 44 may be connected to supply pipes 46 to which the solution will be delivered under pressure and at the desired temperature by apparatus (not shown), each series of spray units being supplied by independent apparatus. The liquid drains into a tank or sump 47 and through a pipe 48 to the pumping apparatus and is thus circulated. It will be manifest that the sides of the lower sections in which a spray is delivered will be suitably enclosed so as to confine the solution and prevent loss. Suitable bafiles are also interposed between adjoining sections as a means of further separating the different solutions. This phase of my invention, that is, the treatment by spraying, is claimed in my parent application above mentioned.

Following the final spraying process the stockings will be carried through the end section 41 up onto the upper run and into a dryer which in the present machine extends from the beginning of the upper run to the inspection station above mentioned located at the section 28. This dryer is in the form of a long narrow compartment formed between the uprights 24 by side walls 49 and a top wall 51 of heat insulating material and a bottom wall 52. Within this compartment extending longitudinally thereof at each side of the stockings are heating pipes 53, at present supported directly on 'the side walls. These heating pipes extend from the section 29 to the section 40 and may be supplied with a heating medium in any suitable manner to maintain the desired temperature in the dryer, although an additional temperature control is provided as will be presently aplUO parent, The stockings thus travel through this drying compartment 54 from the inlet end thereof at the beginning of the upper run to the outlet end at the inspection station.

In order to hasten the drying, carry off the moisture contents and to aid in shaping the stockings on the forms, I have provided an air circulating system which will now be described. .Air circulation is produced by a centrifugal fanor blower 55 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7) located in the present instance at one side of the dryer compartment with the intake opening 56 of the fan in communication with the dryer compartment. The fan discharges through a conduit 57 into a conduit 58 beneath the dryer compartment and extending the full length thereof, the conduit 58 being separated by a partition 59 from the compartment 61 in which the lower run of the carrier travels, this compartment 61 constituting an air passage as will be presently described. The air discharged by the fan into the conduit 58 will flow lengthwise therein as indicated by arrows in Fig. 3 and will be travel of the stocking forms therein. Air will thus be delivered under pressure into the ment in the sections 40 and 41, althoug the dryerv compartment at the carrier outlet end thereof and will flow in the same direction the full length of such compartment. Inasmuch as. there is a 90 turn in the flow of air from the dryer compartment into the fan intake a slight pressure will be built up at this end which prevents air from being drawn into the fan from the adjacent spraying compartment below, that is, from the lower com artonly passage way between thespray compartment in the section 40 is between the baflles 65.

In order to prevent saturation of the air a predetermined volume is constantly bled off or exhausted through a bleeder pipe 66' at the end of the conduit 58 remote form the fan. This bleeder pipe discharges into the compartment or conduit 61 located immediately above the spray compartment and having a vent pipe 67 at its end nearest the fan. As a result of this construction a predetermined volume of air will be continuously exhausted through the bleeder pipe 66 conduit 61 and vent pipe 67, thus keeping the moisture content in the air circulating system comparatively low and promoting drying efficiency. The volume of air exhausted in this manner may be controlled by suitable means such as a butterfly valve 68 in the pipe 66. As a result of continuously exhausting a given percentage of the air in circulation, fresh air willbe' drawninto the system by an injector. action of the nozzles 62, the air inlet being between said nozzles. Thus a cool, comparatively dry fresh air is continuously drawn past the stockings as they emerge from thedryer, the effect of which is beneficial in its final drying, and in cooling and contracting the stockings which will better adhere to the shape of the form. By reason of this method it will be apparent that the air is coolest at the end it enters the drying compartment and is gradually raised in temperature as it approaches the end of the compartment at which the stockings enter in the moistened condition. Thus the greatest moisture content is carried off at the end. of the compartment at which the stockings enter and carry the greatest moisture, and, inversely, the dry stockings leave the dryer at a point at which the air has the lowest moisture content. The warm air passing out through the compartment or conduit 61 draws off with it the steam and vapors rising from the spray compartments, thus greatly reducing the tendency for vapor toescape.

The stockings emerging from the dryer will be inspected by operators at each side of the carrier and W111 thenbe removed from the forms and packed in boxes ready for shippm suitable constructions and a wide range of mechanical equivalents'may be employed in practice without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, in which I I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a drying compartment, a carrier for moving knitted articles lengthwise through said oompartment, heating pipesat opposite sides of the knitted articles, a centrlfugal fan the intake end of which It is believed that the foregoing conveys is in communication with the compartment at the carrier entrance end thereof, an air conduit leading from the discharge end of said fan to the carrier outlet end of said compartment, and nozzles located on opposite sides of the knitted articles at the point at which they emergefrom the outlet end of said compartment and arranged to discharge air from said conduit into the outlet end of said compartment past the stockings, whereby to produce an injector action for drawing fresh air into the compartment past the stockings emerging therefrom.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a drying compartment, a carrier for moving knitted articles lengthwise through said compartment, heating pipes at opposite sides of the knitted articles, a centrifugal fan the intake end of which is in communication with the compartment at the'carrier entrance end thereof, an air con.- duit leading from the discharge end of said fan to the carrier outlet endof said compartment, nozzles located on opposite sides of the knitted articles at the point at which they emerge from the outlet end of said compartment and arranged to discharge air from said conduit into the outlet end of said compartment past the stockings, whereby to produce EDWARD J. ZIOCK. 

